Cycling in Tenerife is different from cycling in the United Kingdom because the local population has only recently become acquainted with cycle tourism, and this is evident in their driving behavior.
It’s obvious that without training, you can’t just go into the high mountains by bike. A trained body is the prerequisite for making altitude metres. Fortunately, not every cyclist is inclined to ride up to the foot of the Teide. So they stay down and cycle within the tourist agglomeration or indulge in a ride through the gently rolling countryside on the TF-28.
A national matter
By pointing out that cycling on an island like Tenerife is different, we want to convey that the indigenous population has not long since been introduced to cycling tourism and that this is reflected in their riding behaviour.
Therefore, the government has taken its responsibility and enacted a number of laws and decrees to make cycling safer.
For the sake of clarity, we list the main rules below. To be clear: traffic and road safety is a national matter and therefore applies to the whole of Spain, including the overseas territories and the two North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
No separate regulations
In Spain, people ride bikes on the carriageway. Cycling on footpaths is prohibited. When taking a group ride, you ride two side by side and occupy a full lane. This reduces the distance and time of a group of cyclists being passed by vehicles. So this also halves the incident risk.
Where bike lanes are available, you have a choice: the carriageway or the bike path. Only if there is a blue command sign should you enter the cycle path.
This is because cyclists in Spain fall into the category of road users and there are no regulations for cyclists separately. The Reglamento General de Vehículos applies to all road users.
Obligations
For your own safety, it is best to wear a bicycle helmet, although it is not compulsory everywhere. Inside built-up areas, only cyclists under 16 have to wear a helmet. Outside, everyone is obliged to protect their head.
On a motorway (autovía), cycling is allowed if you are over 14 years old; on a motorway (autopista), cycling is prohibited.
Every bicycle must be equipped with a working bicycle bell, a red rear light, a white front light and reflectors on the wheels and pedals.
The use of a mobile phone is allowed, only if calling hands-free. Since wearing earphones or headphones is prohibited, hands-free calling is discouraged.
A bicycle does not need to have insurance. However, an e-bike whose maximum speed exceeds 25 km/h and the motor’s power exceeds 500 watts does. For pedelecs, the maximum speed is 45 km/h and/or the power exceeds 500 watts. For these last two types of bicycles where high speed can be developed, moped regulations apply and an approved moped helmet must be worn. Of course, insurance is also mandatory.
Riding under the influence of alcohol (max 0.5 ‰) or drugs is prohibited.
Since you participate in traffic on public roads as a cyclist, you are obliged to apply the general traffic regulations. Respect between all road users is the beginning of road safety.
Are you interested in cycling in Tenerife? Click HERE
More day trips are listed under Excursions.
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Cycling in Tenerife ©
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